Tougher days ahead:

With Nepal being a WTO member and SAFTA implemented from Jan. 1, the economy will face more intense competition. Looking at the preparation of Nepali business sector it seems that we will have to lose more than we can gain. Though the new regime will create opportunity, benefiting from it will depend on how we move ahead. We need to identify the fields in which we can do better than our competitors. Besides, we need to remove obstacles at policy level as well as the practical problems the business community is facing. We also need to formulate industrial and export-related plans, which should not be merely based on guesswork. We have to formulate a friendly policy towards attracting foreign investment. As the existing policy is not result-oriented, we need to identify the hurdles and work towards removing them. Since peace in needed for the country’s prosperity, our focus should be on attaining it.

Akesh Jaiswal, Shanker Dev Campus

Back to guns:

It’s really sad that the Maoists have ended the unilateral ceasefire. The government has to take responsibility for this. Had the government reciprocated the ceasefire, peace in the country could have been restored. Now, the Nepalis are going to face a great problem. The seven-party alliance and the Maoists reached the 12-point agreement to resolve the problem. The public also backed this accord. But the ministers of the royal government termed this an ‘unnatural alliance’. Some even claimed that the backbone of Maoists has been broken. This proves that the government wants to run the country with the help of the army.

Pranav Gautam, Kathmandu

Action:

This refers to the news “4-month ceasefire is now history” published in THT on January 3. It is said that the military operation against the Maoists in Rolpa and the killing of their party’s leader Kim Bahadur Thapa alias ‘Sunil’ in an aerial attack are reasons for ending the truce. The government should do something concrete about it rather than just have a meeting. Over 13,000 people have been killed since the Maoists began their ‘people’s war’ in 1996. The government spokesperson has said that they are prepared to face the situation. But it should act soon.

Nawang Sonam, Maharajgunj

Talks:

After the termination of the ceasefire, all Nepalis, the international community, and UN secretary general Kofi Annan welcomed the move and appealed to the government to reciprocate. Every Nepali felt relieved and hoped for peace but now they fear that the Maoists’ new decision will bring more trouble. The government is determined to hold the civil polls whereas the seven agitating parties and the Maoists are against them. Without dialogue with the parties and the rebels, it is very difficult to hold elections. In the past many elected members resigned after he Maoists threatened to take action for failure to do so. This can be repeated again. Both sides must declare a ceasefire as soon as possible and hold a broader national conference to restore peace.

Ramesh Neupane, Mahankal